MoYu MeiLong Pyraminx Duo (Magnetic + Ball-Core)

MoYu MeiLong Pyraminx Duo (Magnetic + Ball-Core)

It looks like a regular Pyraminx, but it's a different and much simpler puzzle. The MoYu MeiLong Pyraminx Duo has only four corners and four triangular centers. Turning a corner also moves the adjacent center with it. The puzzle was designed by Oskar van Deventer, based on an idea by Rob Stegmann. The goal was to make it as simple as possible without being trivial. This version has magnets and a Ball-Core, which is a magnetic core.

A simple puzzle, but not a trivial one

The Pyraminx Duo has only a few hundred possible positions, and any scramble can be solved in just a few moves. The beginner method has a few steps and requires you to memorize just one algorithm. That makes it a great first puzzle for a child, a nice gift, or a warm-up for someone who solves the 3x3 every day. The Pyraminx Duo is not a WCA event, so it's more of a fun puzzle and a collector's curiosity than training gear.

What the magnets and Ball-Core do

This version has 36 magnets in total. The magnets in the pieces give every turn a clear "click" and make it snap into place on its own. The Ball-Core, meaning magnets connecting the corners to the core, adds extra stability. As a result, the Pyraminx Duo is less likely to stop mid-turn and can be turned quickly without the pieces shifting out of place.

The manufacturer has provided 6 tension levels and an anti-pop design. The surface is matte, has medium grip and isn't shiny.

Magnetic or non-magnetic?

MoYu also makes a version without magnets and without the Ball-Core. It's cheaper and perfectly good for learning, but its turns are less precise and don't snap into place on their own. The Magnetic + Ball-Core version makes sense if you want smoother, more predictable turning, for example if your Duo is going to sit on your desk and end up in your hands often. If your child just wants to find out whether they like puzzles, the regular version will do the job too.

Specifications

• Type: Pyraminx Duo (4 corners, 4 centers), stickerless
• Manufacturer: MoYu (MeiLong series)
• Size: approx. 94 mm
• Weight: approx. 74 g
• Magnets: 36 in total, magnets in the pieces plus Ball-Core
• Adjustment: 6 tension levels
• Finish: matte
• Color scheme: Stickerless Bright